Are Ultrasound Technicians In Demand In The USA?

The ultrasound technician industry is growing. The Global Business Intelligence Research reported on October 2010 that the market for this medical field industry would exceed $24.4 billion by 2016. Here are some of the vital reasons why ultrasound sonography industry is booming not only in the US but also in the global market.

Ultrasound technology market isn’t just gathering revenue gains from the United States alone but also from other countries globally. There is also an increasing revenue gain from countries such as China, India, and Brazil. Some of the driving factors, which facilitate the growth in the medical sonography field, are the increasing spending of government in health care, increasing personal incomes and increasing demand and interest for the ultrasound tech fields.

New Technologies

In the US, regardless of the recession problems, new technologies are driving the ultrasound technology market into an increasing trend. In spite of the Medicare cuts, decreasing reimbursement levels and patients saving on their medical needs, newer technology are driving the market crazy with all the promise of convenience and security from their technology. The US is still the number one in the ultrasound technology market because of the new technologies that are emerging in the market every now and then. One example of this non-stop technology originating from the US is the pocket-sized, portable ultrasound devices, which gained approval from the US FDA just before the start of the 2010 Olympics. These less than a pound ultrasound machines were used during the 2010 Olympics helping the injured athletes be diagnosed at the winter games. Another good point with these little ultrasound machines were gained during occurrence of the worldwide disaster relief efforts.

These new technologies introduced by the ultrasound technology field had been innovative and useful for patients and are being performed by nurses or doctors without the help of ultrasound technicians. However, there is a high demand for sonographers.

Ultrasound Job Market

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that there is an expected increasing trend for the ultrasound technician jobs. As reported, the industry is predicted to grow by an impressive 18% growth from 2008 until 2018. Ultrasound technology industry will gain the first place spot as the fastest growing industry in the country. Although there is still a high demand for ultrasound technicians to work for hospitals, it is encouraged for patients to have outpatient care. With this, there will be more employment for sonographers in the physician’s offices, laboratory clinics and medical offices. In the US, the main reason for the high career growth in ultrasound technology is the increasing number of the aging population, replacement for old and retiree ultrasound technicians and the emergence of cost effective ultrasound machines.

Schools

Another reason why ultrasound technicians are in demand in the US is that ultrasound technician schools are being able to meet the standards of medical employers. Although there are many different ways to learn ultrasound skills, medical employers prefer the ultrasound sonographers who have finished accredited programs. The associate degree program is commonly chosen but the four-year bachelor degree course is growing in the number of enrolled students.

Intensive and formal trainings are now more prioritized because of some states need requiring accreditation from professional organizations. As of now, two states including New Mexico and Oregon are requiring for license from ultrasound technicians. Other states in the future would require the same strict requirements for sonographers. However, the SDMS is working for an agreement with the government regarding the matter the state mandated requirements should not be a burden for the aspiring ultrasound technician to work in the field of medical sonography.